Nutrition
The bulk of UK maize and wholecrop cereal crops are fed to livestock. MGA nutrition information aims to make the most of this feed in the production of high quality milk and meat at a low cost. MGA Nutritionist advice is free to members.
Resources: Nutrition
Sustainable intensification in European agriculture
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Our overseas speaker, Friedhelm Taube,'s presentation from the 2020 Conference on Thursday 6th February.
Dairy nutrition research at Nottingham
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Phil Garnsworthy's presentation on Dairy Nutrition Research at University of Nottingham from MGA Conference 2020 on 6th February
High Forage Diets
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Mike's article on high forage diets for high-yielding dairy cows. If you have any questions, please contact the office and we will put you in touch with Mike.
Case Study: Stephen Temple
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Case study of council member Stephen Temple in Norfolk focusing on his conversion to Conservation Agriculture.
Case Study: John Cottle
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Case study on the farming techniques of MGA council member, John Cottle
Effects of Weather on Maize Yield
Thursday, July 25, 2019
A technical article from Mike Wilkinson on the effects of different weather patterns on maize yield
Forage Cost Comparison Table
Friday, June 14, 2019
The cost comparison table has been updated for 2019
Silage Additives
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Some background from Mike Wilkinson on the use of silage additives
Nitrogen Predictor Form
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Our N Predictor Data Entry Form has had a revamp - hopefully it is a little more user-friendly and now allows for more options when recording organic nitrogen that has previously been applied.
Please print off or fill in a copy and post or email to Sarah in the office; we will aim to respond to you quickly as we can.
Navigating Brexit Conference Paper 2019
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Have a read of the NFU's actions and outlook with regards to Brexit and find out what it all means for farmers with Tori Morgan's presentation.
Diet & feedstock formulation
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
In his 16th Technical Note for MGA members, Mike Wilkinson outlines some basic aspects of diet and feedstock formulation. Mike can be contacted via the MGA office.
Introduction
Designing diets for livestock and biogas digesters involves balancing local feeds, grown on the farm or accessed from neighbours, with supplements obtained from specialist suppliers.
Beef trial - Harper Adams
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Simon Marsh, Senior lecturer at Harper Adams has kindly shared his report on the latest beef trial with MGA members. Please find his report in the nutrition section of the website.
European maize meeting report
Thursday, November 1, 2018
In early September John Morgan and Simon Draper attended the European Maize Meeting (EMM), this year held in Belgium, on behalf of the MGA. The meeting, hosted jointly by the Belgian maize organisations, Uclouvain and CIPF, was held in Gembloux, approximately 50 km south east of Brussels and as in the past consisted of three elements.
A classroom-based session when the Status of the Maize Crop in different countries was outlined by our hosts.
This year’s chosen subject was Undersowing and the Impact of Undersowing on Nutrient and Soil retention.
Moving silage
Thursday, November 1, 2018
In his latest Technical Note for MGA members, Mike Wilkinson outlines procedures for moving silage from one place to another prior to use. Mike can be contacted via the MGA office.
Silage is in short supply and may have to be moved from one site to another before use. The material may have been stored in a bunker or temporary unwalled heap (field clamp or pile) some distance from place of use because existing silo capacity was inadequate, or because insufficient silage was made on site to meet demand.
Short maize - What feed value will it have?
Friday, August 31, 2018
Health hazards from silage
Monday, August 20, 2018
Silage making can be a relatively uncontrolled fermentation process. The main fermentation activity in the silo is the conversion of plant sugars to acids. The reduction in pH preserves the ensiled crop from rotting during the storage period provided oxygen is excluded from the silage.
Well-made silage is a safe feed for livestock, but things can go wrong with the fermentation. Hazards to livestock and human health from undesirable micro-organisms in silage are discussed in the article.
Costs of production
Monday, August 20, 2018
The latest in the Costs of Forage Production series is based on average yields and quality. Costs of production are assume contractors undertaking establishment and annual management tasks with crop nutrients being supplied by straight inorganic (bagged) fertiliser. No feed out costs or waste are included.
Westerwolds offer a real opportunity
Monday, August 20, 2018
The hot, dry conditions have hit/ obliterated most second and third cut silages, as well as impacting on many maize crops, to the point that many growers are currently short of grazed grass as well as being down on forage stocks for the winter. The likely early harvest of maize this autumn and recent rain does offer some opportunities to fill the forage gaps, as do extending grazing in the autumn and hopefully next spring.
Drought & Maize
Monday, August 6, 2018
In this special Technical Note for MGA members, Mike Wilkinson outlines prospects for the 2018 maize crop and its likely feed value.
Introduction
This year’s weather to date in large parts of the UK has comprised a wet spring followed by drought. Many MGA members are short of feed and are taking steps to secure additional supplies for the coming winter. A lot of hay and whole crop silage has been made. Some members are suffering from failed maize crops due to prolonged lack of soil moisture.
What are the prospects for the maize crop this year and how might maize silage feed value differ from a normal year?
Topical Issues in Nutrition 2018
Monday, August 6, 2018
Feeding dairy cows during the last six months has continued to provide new challenges for both dairy producers and ruminant nutritionists. This article written by Chris Bartram, head of Nutrition at Mole Valley Farmers highlights several key points to consider. It also pinpoints a few areas that are likely to become more important in the future.
Droughted maize - Don't panic yet
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Managing forage feed supplies in a drought
Friday, July 6, 2018
We are heading for a prolonged drought and forage supplies are drying up. Professor Mike Wilkinson discusses options for securing more forage for next winter and spring.
Costs of Forage Production (June 2018)
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Average growing costs for Grazed Grass, Silage, Maize with and without film, Wholecrop, Fodder Beet, Kale, Stubble Turnips can be viewed and downloaded.
HARVESTING MAIZE – EFFECTS ON QUALITY
Friday, July 21, 2017
In his 6th Technical Note for MGA members, Mike Wilkinson looks at harvesting and silage quality. Mike can be contacted via the MGA office.
When to harvest?
Changes in forage maize quality with advancing crop maturity are mainly the consequence of changes in whole-plant DM concentration. Post-fertilisation, sugars (mainly fructose polymers and glucose) are translocated from leaf via stem to rachis (cob) and finally to grain where they are polymerised into starch as the grain fills and increases in weight. The progressive changes from sugars in solution to starch in suspension (milk) and then to solid starch is indicated by the rise in milk line from the base to the top of the grain as it matures. This process is accompanied by significant loss of water from the plant. There is also loss of water due to leaf senescence and cell rupture due to disease and/or frost damage.
Chris Bartrams' latest maize nutrition update
Monday, March 27, 2017
Chris Bartram, Mole Valley Farmers head Nutritionist second article will highlight a number of latest observations and developments in the nutrition of the dairy cow. It is written to provide timely information for thought, discussion and application.
Dr Katrin Gerlach - Practically improving the feed value of your maize silage
Friday, March 3, 2017
Feed to Faeces Report
Thursday, January 5, 2017
As a follow on from the two very successful MGA feeding days held in Cheshire and Dorset on the 13th and 14th December, trainer and MGA Ruminant Consultant Mike Wilkinson has put together a summary of the lessons learnt. He and we hope the attached notes prove useful during what remains of this winter and the 2017 growing season.
Diets to reduce grenhouse gases
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
In his second article for the MGA, Mike Wilkinson describes ways of reducing livestock greenhouse gas emissions through diet formulation.
European maize meeting - Feeding value of maize silage
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
The chosen subject for this year’s European Maize Meeting, held at the Arvalis Research Station, near La Chepelle St Sauveur in North West France in early September, was “The Feed Value of Maize Silage”. As has historically been the case, participating countries address the subject focused on related research being undertaken in their home states and as a consequence, the papers provide a useful reminder of what is going on in Europe.
FEED VALUE OF SILAGE MAIZE FOR DAIRY COWS - Danish Euro Maize Meeting Paper, Sept 2016
Monday, September 26, 2016
European Maize Committee Meeting (Sept 2016 - France) presented by Rudolf Thøgersen. Rudolf's paper focuses on Scandinavian assemsment of the feeding value of maize, silage sampling technique and challenges, plus starch and NDF digestibility.
Nutrition & maize silage - Latest developments
Friday, September 16, 2016
It is widely recognised that this is a very challenging time for the dairy sector. However, better news now appears to be on the horizon in terms of an increase in the milk price and some stability in the feed market. All aspects of most farm businesses have been challenged in recent months and alternative strategies and options evaluated. This has been particularly relevant for all areas related to nutrition. It is important that despite maize silage having been a consistent part of the diet for many producers in the UK for many years that the nutritional benefits of feeding maize silage continue to be challenged. This article written by Dr Chris Bartram, Mole Valley Farmers head Nutritionist initially considers the basic aspects of the nutritive value of maize silage and then outlines a number of exciting developments in maize silage related research that may be applicable in the near future. It will be part of a series of updates intended to keep members of the association up to speed with various new nutritional developments related to feeding maize silage.
Key Maize harvest tips
Friday, September 16, 2016
The warm dry weather means that the maize crops continue to romp through their growth stages and that harvest will soon be upon us. With this in mind I have had a quick scan through past harvest guides to come up with what I hope will be some useful timely reminders.
Assessing milk per tonne of maize silage
Monday, August 1, 2016
We have heard a lot about the need to improve efficiency of feed use. More milk per kg feed or the same milk from less feed are desirable objectives because in both cases the animal is making better use of each unit of feed eaten, and feed is the most significant variable cost of milk and meat production.
In this article Mike Wilkinson discusses how we should decide which maize hybrids are likely to produce most milk.
His article can be found in the Nutrition section of the website.
Report on the MGA trip to France
Monday, August 1, 2016
Grower and commercial members teamed up recently to head to Picardy in Northern France with Simon Draper, MGA agronomist, to learn what is new from French researchers and growers.
Attached is a summary of the points picked up by the travellers. We hope the summary proves useful to members and would ask that questions you have be channelled to Simon, via the MGA office.
Changes in Nutrition
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Members may have picked up from our last mailing that Chris Savery retired from Agriculture and his role as MGA Ruminant Consultant at the end of last month. We wish him well and took the opportunity before his departure to gain his parting views on the industry. Chris’s views were first aired at the MGA Conference in February 2016. We felt that Chris’s observations may be of interest to members more generally and with his permission have produced them here for general reading.
MGA Conference Paper (written text) 2016 - Bridget Lynch - Agronomy and Dairy Nutrition Research Trial Update
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Bridget Lynch from University College Dublin, Lyons Research Farm's paper to the MGA conference in Peterb0rough during February 2016
MGA Variety booklet 2016
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Maize harvested and feeding well?
Friday, October 30, 2015
Our appreciation of the tremendous value of maize in the diet makes us keen for it to be in the diet as soon as possible. But, after months of watching it grow and despite the delayed season, it is important that we do not compromise the value of the final crop. A good autumn has been very welcome, but those in marginal areas may struggle to hit harvest targets.
MGA Mineral range, prices and specifications
Friday, October 30, 2015
The MGA range of minerals is produced for us by Mole Valley Farmers and is targeted at balancing maize diets for cows.
The specifications and prices are included in this article
MGA Harvest guide
Thursday, August 27, 2015
With harvest activity in mind, we have reviewed and updated where necessary, the MGA Maize Harvesting Guide. We make no apologies for starting this year’s guide with Post Harvest Maize Field Management advice, believing that this area of crop agronomy is vitally important if unhindered maize growing is to continue. As always we would encourage growers to make use of Simon and John to talk through specifics of harvest if required.
Maize in Beef Systems
Friday, July 10, 2015
Simon Marsh, Principal Lecturer at Harper Adams has written an excellent review of studies carried out at the University into feeeding maize to beef and the results of the trials.
Costs of forage production
Friday, April 17, 2015
John Morgan has updated the costs of forage production for 2015
Conference paper - Professor Mike Wilkinson
Friday, February 27, 2015
Mike talked us through what you need from your maize for the dairy cow and an AD plant.
2014 crop harvested and feeding well?
Monday, December 1, 2014
Maize crops closest to me (Shropshire) were being harvested today, early November. Although this sounds late for this year and especially after a very kind October, it is typically a reflection of the time it has taken for crops to reach an acceptable dry matter %. The possibility of a very early harvest back in July was changed by a cooler, wetter August. Crops have generally matured well, but despite considerable favourable weather, crops remained very green. Indeed, the maturity of the grains lead to fields being started, only to find the crop often coming off very wet and the need to pull out.
The Common Agricultural Policy Reforms
Thursday, August 28, 2014
The reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will bring about change in many areas of farming in 2015. There will be the transfer from the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), with its new Greening rules, as well as changes to Cross Compliance. While the fine details have yet to be finalised we thought it may be useful to have a summary of what we know so far.
The summary has been produced by Laura Gude who works with John at Creedy Associates. The information presented is to the best of our knowledge correct. That said, we would urge you to seek individual advice to clarify the facts as they relate to your business.
Adequate maize till harvest?
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Running out of maize (or cereal wholecrop) is likely to have big implications in any diets fed. With cows now milking well and returns much improved, any upset affects every aspect of production, which is expensive and must be avoided. With careful planning this problem can be averted and intakes / performance maintained.
Clamped Forages - Review & Improve
Friday, April 4, 2014
Chris Savery gives us good advice on improving clamp management and working with your contractor to provide good quality silage for your stock this winter.
Forage Harvested - Now What!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
After a better year for most, in terms of forage production, Chris Savery takes this opportunity to review what we have got and how best it can be used.
From seriously empty clamps this spring, forage stocks have in most, but not all cases been replenished to a considerable extent. Grass silage production has varied considerably, from some very small cuts, to potential embarrassment this autumn. Maize, after a cool, late and slow start has for many done well, but in between those good crops there are too many low yields for various reasons.
